Last night I was so tired by 8PM that I could not stay awake any longer. I went to bed and did not even REALIZE that I had not blogged until this morning. I really can't tell you why I was so tired. I stayed home the whole day and guess I just kept busy with cleaning and sewing and all the other things that have to be done. Maybe I am better off to leave at least once a day.

It is now after 11PM and I JUST got home from working at Rhine. We are in the middle of winter league. Last week was SO cold that very few teams showed up to shoot so this week was busy. We shot 20 scorecards and only three of them did not shoot both sets. Then trap two started breaking birds and we could not use it for about a hour and a half. The last team finished at 10:10 or so. We fudged a bit as we are supposed to be done by 10. I had the gun room and had to field the unhappy guys when they had to wait what must have seemed forever for their turns. I was able to keep them pretty calm. Poor Tom Lawaan and Peter Hatas spent the whole night scoring in that snow and cold. We took in enough money. I drove home VERY carefully. I did not exceed 40 MPH. One could not see the white line and I could tell it was slippery. I did not test the traction control OR the 4WD. I just drove slowly and steadily home.

The early part of the day consisted of cleaning the kitchen, baking a cake and going to lunch with my friends. On the way home from lunch, I got the car washed and then went to the Plymouth Inn and made arrangements to block off several rooms for the Celtic Women's Spring Fling in April.

Tomorrow we get to stay home the whole day again. I invited Bobbie over for a liver and onions dinner. (Bill and Dick will have oven farmer ribs.) They will grumble as we enjoy our dinner. We will both have enough for sandwiches during the coming week too. Num Num.

Ellen Burstyn said "Most of my life, if a man did something totally other than the way I thought it should be done, I would try to correct him. Now I say, "Oh, isn't that interesting."

Sounds like a good philosophy (mostly.)

Mary

This is one of the best pictures that I have ever taken. Isn't it great?

Mary

Dick and I went grocery shopping this morning. We checked the Wilderness Restaurant because Jim and Michelle had told us that it was open again. It is apparently, BUT not for breakfast so we proceeded on to Mc Donalds. Dick got a big breakfast and I got a sausage Mc Griddle. They do have good breakfasts. Then on to the Pig for grocery shopping. With a concentrated effort we were done by 9:15 and even with getting gas in the car were home by 9:30AM. Not a bad effort.

I put the groceries away and Dick and Chelsea went down for a nice nap. My friend Nancy Roehre picked me up at 11AM and we headed for Sheboygan. We stopped first at her sister in law's house. Her sister in law is Kathy Roehre Burich who graduated from High School with both Nancy AND me. They are on the high school reunion committee and Nancy was picking up the flyers that are to be mailed for our reunion this summer. Would you believe that we will be celebrating our 50th High School Reunion this summer? I can't.

Then we drove over to Gander Mountain where Nancy's pistol was waiting for her. Nancy is really enjoying pistol league and shooting. I am delighted to have someone to shoot with once in a while. She had been using her brother Jack's pistol but it is rather big and cumbersome for a little person. She bought a ruger. When she went to Gander Mountain and explained what she was doing and where she was shooting and who she was shooting with, Norb, the salesperson said that he knew me and was SO helpful to her. Bobbie, he is Norb of Norb and Rocky.

We stopped for a quick lunch at Quisno's on the way home.

I tried to take a short nap but it was cut even shorter by Chelsea, who was a real problem this afternoon. I took her for a 15 minute walk, she did everything. Was at my desk 10 minutes later and she was whining to go out again ( at least I THINK she wanted to go out) So I took her out again for another 15 t0 20 minute walk and then she started pestering me again. She is really either getting senile or really having difficulties. I try to be really understanding because she is old, But I am getting very tired and am not exactly young either. I sure get tired after the third or forth time dressing up to take her out in a two hour period. One has to start with that because she cannot talk and tell us what she wants.

Tonight we took Mother out for her birthday dinner. We went to Richards in Sheboygan Falls. It was a lovely evening. I mentioned to Rose, the waitress, and a dear friend, that it was for Mom's birthday and they brought her a big piece of decadent chocolate dessert to share with a candle and we all sang Happy Birthday. The other waitress is Nancy Roehre's sister and went to school with my brother Jeff. She was totally surprised that her sister is shooting pistol. So I spilled lots of stuff to her.

One more extremely cold night and then the temperatures are supposed to warm up a bit. We are certainly ready for a break.

Love

Mary

I think we must have had a foot of snow last night. It was fluffy and deep. Chelsea was up to her little neck. She did her Pepe Le Pew bouncing this morning which is awfully cute to see but then we had to wander around until we found a spot with the snow low enough that she could do her bathroom duties. It is pretty hard to squat when the snow is as high as your bottom.

This afternoon, she was really funny. She ran across the plowed road and jumped up into the bank that had been made even deeper by the plows and darn near disappeared. Didn't bother her too much.

We had an appointment with Dr. Hodous for Dick's feet this morning. There was black ice off and on all the way between here and the Clinic. Fortunately, we were not in any hurry and I just took my time. A couple of times I felt the car start to stray but was able to keep it steady. One of the open callouses seems to be healing. It is almost healed which we really did not expect. So that was and is a relief. We must be doing something right.

Had the furnace and humidifier checked today. All is well, and he changed the filter. He did suggest that we get a Carbon Monoxide Detector as the heat exchange on these furnaces is known to be weak and it is eight years old now. We need to be on that. We will check on that. Seems to me that Jim checked those things out when we were at Hunters Glen and we had one. Ryan, the inspector, said that Steger DOES carry them. They run from $45 to $195 including installation. We will ask Jim first.

I received an envelope from my niece, Vikki, today. She sent back the pictures that I had shared from when we used to go jeeping out there in the deserts and sand dunes. She also sent me a wonderful gift. A poster of her son Scott Simon #181 riding his cycle with an insert of his face. She is right, he has Johnston plastered all over him. A nice looking young man. I will hang this poster. I love things like that.

Love

Mary

Hello. It was a snowy cold Monday. Because of the snow, the birthday dinner we promised to Mother this evening has been postponed to Wednesday when it should be safe, (cold but safe) to take her AND Dick out and about.

The bible study had six of us there today. Several people are on vacation so we were pretty much full group. The readings were very interesting in that they were the handing of the reins to Jesus from John the Baptist and Jesus picking his first four apostles. Joe was quite clever in his wording. James and John were called from their job working with their father Zebedee on a fishing boat. He referred to it as the Zebedee Fishing Company and indicated that these young men were probably much more interested in following this guy who had been recommended by John the Baptist. They must have hear John speak and were more excited about following Jesus than hanging around fishing with their father for the rest of their lives.

Then I swung by Mother's and gave her the birthday card. This was when we decided that unless things changed we would put off the birthday dinner. While I was there a beautiful azalea plant arrived from Nora and Leif. Eileen and Fred were out to see her on Sunday. Presents and flowers were piling in and everybody was calling which is certainly proper. When one reaches 92 years old, the world should stand up and take notice.

Believe in yourself.

Mary

Believe it or not , it is actually warmer now than it was most of the day and it is only 0 degrees. This is bitter cold but it is supposed to be warming up a bit this next week. At least we will get to double digits.

I went to the 8AM Mass. It was not quite as full as usual, probably because of the cold. I got a call from Mother. She asked me to pick up a Blessed Trinity Bulletin for her. She stayed home because of the bitter cold too. I am sure glad she didn't try to go.

The rest of the day was very quiet around here. I sewed a bit on my denim quilt and cut out the edging for another Celtic Women Sweatshirt Jacket. I did some crocheting. I am going to be making caps for cancer patients who loose their hair during treatments. Apparently there is a big demand for them so I figured I can put some together of an evening while watching TV to keep my hands busy.

Just finished watching the Packer's lose the playoff game with NY. What a disappointment. They just weren't playing. They didn't seem to be putting any heart into it. So despite the fact that they managed to be tied at the end, they did not play all that well and we were not really surprised. Disappointed but not surprised. So , we wait until next year.

Barb called during the game and we had a nice phone visit. It will be nice when she is done with that assignment in Florida and they decide for sure what thy are going to do. It is hard for them to be so far apart. She goes home for four days in early February.

Take care and have a good week.

Mary

Another Chilling Day. It never even reached 0 degrees. Can you believe a day spent in temperatures below zero? Tomorrow does not look much better. Pity to poor football players tomorrow. Actually, they do get paid enough. As I said I am sure glad that I don't have to go to the game.

I cleaned the office today. The rest of the day was a lazy day. Jim and Michelle came over for dinner. We were "paying" them for putting up the new blinds in the living room for us. One of the strings broke on the old one. So I had to replace all three as I don't know where these came from. Besides I found out from Donna that they have them with touch rather than string controls. So I had ordered them from Penney's then found that the new brackets are slightly different than the old ones. I was able to take them apart but am not good about using drills and stuff over my head to put them back up.

Jim got them up in no time at all and they look wonderful. I am so pleased and it even gave them idea for their bedroom blinds.

We had chicken enchilada stacks and bean tostadas for dinner along with a chocolate cheesecake. It all turned out very good.

Leslie and Bill closed on their home in Louisiana yesterday and began moving today. We will not hear from them until Tuesday when their internet and phones are all hooked up again. They are SO excited and will be SO exhausted. But what a wonderful way to get exhausted. Leslie had the neatest quote at the bottom of the last email.

***Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the
morning, satan shudders & says..."Oh no....she's awake!!"***


Sounds like a good way to hit the day. Lets all pray that the Packers win tomorrow. Isn't this exciting?

Love

Mary

Another very busy cold day. I cleaned the kitchen this morning. Then at 11AM I went into Sheboygan and gave blood at the Blood Center. That is always about 45 minutes but after I donate I have some orange juice and oatmeal raisin cookies. Sounds like a good trade to me and I figure someone will benefit from my donation.

Went from there to Dairy Queen to meet the Wells group for lunch. There were five of us today. We had a nice visit. I got tons of errands done while I was out too. Went to the bank, the grocery store, the Sewing Basket, city hall (to pay the taxes and get Chelsea's license renewed. Whew, was I ever glad to get home.

I had fixed a cabbage soup yesterday for supper tonight. It is really good. I added a bit of brat sausage patties crumbled and browned to give it some protein. We will really appreciate it with the cold weather that is upon us. This is suddenly turning out to be a VERY cold month. We have several days ahead of us with single digits, even getting below Zero during the night time. It will be 2 degrees at the start of the Packer Game on Sunday. I have always said that I want to go to a Packer Game in Lambeau Field, but I am sure glad that the opportunity was not presented for THIS one. As my friend Betty said, There are not enough clothes.

Tonight I went out to Rhine to shoot some pistol. Pretty poor attendance for the trap league. Too cold for most of them too. Actually, Hoover, our trap machine expert, did not want us to be open because of the cold being hard on the equipment. Shooting pistol is at least inside. I seem to be maintaining a decent score. My lowest this year so far is 49. Not to bad. Tonight my last target was worst and I seemed to have dropped so must have been tired. My friend Nancy was going to come but called in the late afternoon because she is coming down with something. I told her that I didn't want to catch anything any way.

Monday my Mother will celebrate her 92nd birthday. Dick and I are going to take her out for dinner. I asked her the other day if she would like to go out for dinner on Monday and she got real quiet, then she started to laugh as she remembered that, as she said, it is a rather special day.

Have a lovely weekend and STAY WARM.

Idiot Sightings

We had to have the garage door repaired. The Sears repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a "large" enough motor on the opener. I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said, "Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower." I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4. He said, "NO, it's not." Four is larger than two.."
We haven't used Sears repair since.


Mary

Today was such a nice day (until tonight when Chelsea has been a real real pest.) Dick had his blood test this morning and his count was just perfect again. We have to go back in two weeks again.

Then I cleaned the bathrooms.

At 10AM, Nancy Roehre and Kate Herman picked me up and we went to the Research Center for our CWI meeting. Such a nice time. There were 8 of us plus Katie Dippel. We ordered sandwiches from Ella's for lunch and then spent the next three hours sharing our genealogy. We found out a lot about each other. Peggy Feider's Mom had their history researched by a specialist and we got to see how they do their work. Peg Payne had LOTS from her brother Bernard Michaels who wrote three books about the Irish in western Sheboygan County before he died AND a wonderful hand written collection about County Meath where her family came from that was put together by a lady over there just to help Bernard get the feel of Ireland. Kate shared her New York Irish background and explained the difference between Black and Orange Irish. Nancy Gallagher Roehre found out more about her family as Beth knows a lot about them . She had some basics. Toni Nevicosi explained why she was there, her husband is part Irish, but she also explained her last name. John, her husband, was the grandson of an orphan who was left at a nunnery. The nuns gave him the name of Notoli Nevicosi which means Christmas, the first name, and new snow, the last name.

There was more but I can't remember ALL of it. We will meet again for SURE on St. Patrick's day for the Irishman's Walk. Then we are hosting the CWI spring fling. We will do a cemetery tour and whatever else would be interesting. I will see what Betty Gavitt wants to do.

Beth gave us the Research Center's password to Ancestry. com and I have been able to get into some of the census information on the Clifford's and the Deeley's. I found out that while Grandpa Deeley was a widow, before he married my Grandma Helen, his mother Honora, his brother John and his sisters, Nelli and Elizabeth were living with him and my Auntie Marge who was only three at the time. That confirmed some information that we had.

So I will have fun with that program.

Take care and have a good Friday.

Mary

Today was really rather pleasant. The sun was out for a portion of the day. There was very little wind and the temperatures were in the upper 30s. For a winter day in January in Wisconsin not a bad day at all.

I took Chelsea for a nice long walk right after we had lunch. The school must have been letting out earlier than I thought because we ran into a lot of young people. Chelsea found that very exciting. She barked until they got close, then just figured they were part of the walk and ignored them.

Dick and I went grocery shopping. Dick was taking care of something on the computer and we got a rather late start. It was almost 9 when we finally got to the Family Restaurant for our breakfast. He has vowed that we will never do that again because the store was packed. People everywhere. He does NOT like crowds, especially in stores.

I finished vacuuming the living room after removal of the tree and also got our bedroom. I took down the other two blinds from the living room windows. Jim and Michelle are coming over on
Saturday and Jim will drill the new holes that I need to have in order to mount the brackets for the new ones. I could use two holes but really need three. Working our drill upside down would not work for me and Dick is just a bit too unsteady on his feet these days.

Tonight I went over to St. John's for a talk on Hospice Care. All five Hospice providers were represented and did a very good job of explaining Hospice Care, what it is and what expertise they bring to the patient. They all cooperate with each other which is commendable. I found that Medicare covers all Hospice care except housing (if it is in a facility). They have social workers who will consult with the patient and the family to coordinate all care and see that all ducks are in a row. They also will stay with the family for up to a year with bereavement counseling and help. I learned a lot.

Rabbit hunting and an email from a friend reminded me of two bunny stories. My friend, Joanne was saying that there were bunnies all over her back yard if we needed them and we have them all over Tallgrass too.

Here are my "stories". One morning when we were still at Hunters Glen, Chelsea and I went out for a quick walk and I walked her around the house. As we came up the rise from the back and headed towards the street, I noticed, huddled up against the house two of the biggest eyes I ever saw. They were in the face of a bunny who was not over 4 inches long and was just petrified. Chelsea, "the great hunter," did not even see it. I reached over and stroked its little back and the poor thing still did not move. I quickly realized that this was not too smart a move because if Chelsea DID see the poor creature, she could have hurt it so we moved on.

The other incident was told to me by my brother Jeff. He and Mother went out into her back yard to check the garden. There in the middle of the yard was a mother rabbit nursing her babies. She never moved and just watched them.

The city bunnies are almost domesticated. If they weren't so destructive they would be fun to have around as they are so cute.

Love

Mary

We got to stay home all day today. That is really such a pleasure nowadays.

Chelsea was really goofed up this morning she started pestering us before 5AM. Dick took her out at about 5, I took her out again at 5:30 and shut her out of the bedroom afterwards. I finally got up at about 6:30 which is pretty good.

I spent the day vacuuming the living room, taking a set of blinds off of one of the windows (It is broken and I have the replacement.) Now I have to figure out how to drill one more hole and if I need to use those plastic screw holer thingies. I am replacing all three in the living room. One had the draw string break so naturally all three have to be changed. We will save the other two in case any of the bedroom blinds break.

We filtered the Gewertiminer wine today too. AND I finished sewing the Clifford family crest together. Now I need to fine a fabric to back it too.

I got a request to sponsor my niece, Jessica, in a "Polar Plunge" for Special Olympics. So I emailed her that I would be glad to.

Years ago, before even Bret was born, the Orange County Four Wheelers, the jeep club we belonged to, was asked to provide jeeps for the pre-parade at the Special Olympics in Orange County. The Special Olympics was not all that old at the time. I, along with a few other jeepers, drove our jeep in the event. I will never forget that I carried a very pleasant wrestler named Boom Boom Mahalic. I was lucky, one of the guys had an animal trainer with a cougar that was really not too happy to be there.

Take Care

Mary

This has been a full day, a good day. But somehow or other I feel sad. And I can't really tell you why.

This morning was the bible study. There were only four of us this morning. Quite unusual, but we had a lively discussion about the "servant" who brings the word to the world dating back to Isiah. So, even if the Jewish people have chosen to ignore this , they were instructed way back then to bring their God and salvation to the world and to treat ALL as their neighbor. AHEM!!!

Then I went to Mother's and stayed and visited with her until Helen came to pick her up for lunch. I made sure to stay until I could help her get in the car. I swept her walk and the ramp too. Don't need to have that get slippery on her and I helped her get the hope chest moved and the card table set up for the big canasta game that she hosted after lunch. She is such a dear and her friends are just charming.

I have been very achy in my joints and my left leg today. I took a walk with Chelsea late this afternoon and it did seem to loosen up my leg anyway.

We had chicken and rice for supper and I baked some Market Day gingerbread men for dessert. That was a pleasant taste.

So. It was a good day. But I am sad. I am sure a good night's sleep will help. Last night was weird. I kept waking up and then Chelsea woke me up at about 5:15AM. It took her out and then went back to bed leaving her outside of the bedroom. Then Dick got up and didn't know that I had let her out so he let her in at 6 and she got pushy so I got up. It just didn't pay to try to get back to sleep again.

Remember this old Children's poem

If all the world were apple pie
And all the seas were ink
And all the trees were bread and cheese
What would we have to drink?

Have a nice Tuesday.

Mary

Today was rabbit hunting day. Not very successful actually.

We met at Leroy's house at 8:30AM. Strange things are happening. Jeff was there with his friend Faff when I got there (Jeff is always late) and the others, Randy and Ken and Dennis and Vic were about 15 minutes later.

It was snowing when we got out to the woods. A very gentle snow and it was quite warm. Except for trying to avoid the swampy wet area it was an extremely pleasant day and the woods were heavenly. Each branch covered with a layer of snow. Copper, Dennis's dog did get a scent and chased a bunny for quite some time. Randy saw it but was too far away for a shot. After about an hour at this spot, we gave up and moved to a pine woods quite near the bar, the Wierl Wind where we always go after the hunt for the sausage tasting contest. We hunted for about an hour there also. Leroy got a couple of shots off at one and so did Vic. Copper did a bit of chasing but it was really a rather disappointing day game wise. Jeff has some squirrels and rabbits for the wild game dinner anyway so we will have our variety of dishes.

We went to the Wierl Wind next and Jeff and I cut up NINE different venison sausages for sharing and voting on. That is probably the biggest variety that we have had at least since I have been coming. I don't know who the winner was but we had sausages from Miesfeld, Roehrborn, Hickory Hill, School Hill, Troy, and a couple of others. Actually none of them were bad this year. Some years there are some real duds. This year it was very hard to choose.

I got home at about 2:15 and Dick was sleeping. So I could have stayed a bit longer I guess.

I had put a stew in the crock pot this morning so we had that for supper. It is the easiest stew in the world. I wish I had known about it years ago when I was making those pathetic, tasteless excuses for stew that I would try.

Years ago, my friend Ernie Schonert and some of his buddies decided that they were going to get themselves a steer. One night they went to a ranch area, at the time in Southern California there were still mini ranches, huge truck farms and orchards between the cities. Now it is all practically one big city.

They went out and shot themselves a steer. At that point they realized how BIG these things are. They managed to gut this thing out in the dark. At this point the drive in theatre which was right across the street let out so they sat leaning against the truck with a big tarp over the carcass until they traffic cleared. They got the thing home and butchered. They had a big huge barbecue to use up the meat and Ernie said that the thing was darn tough.

Have a good week.

Love

Mary

The tree is undecorated AND in its box for a rest until next year. I also stored away all the Santas and Angels that are too Christmasy until next year too.

I WAS able to stay home most of the day. I did, however, go to Mass tonight. As I am going rabbit hunting, (or as Dick calls it Bunny Killing) tomorrow morning and have to meet the other hunters at Leroy's house at 8:30AM, Mass in the morning becomes impossible. I AM starting to belong at St. John's . Ed Schroeder, who usually goes to Sunday morning Mass, asked what I was doing there Saturday night. I told him that I was going rabbit hunting and he said he would really like to go along, however, HE has a commitment to some breakfast or other which is why HE was there on a Saturday night. Regardless, we all tore ourselves away from the Packer Game to make sure that poor Fr. Van Beeck was not doomed to say mass for himself and puppy.

Even Ceil Gorsky came tonight because she was afraid that Fr. Van Beeck would be alone.


The Packers started off letting Seattle score two touchdowns in the first five minutes on fumbles. They don't call them the heart attack pack for nothing. But they recovered. By the time I got to Mass they were already tied and they WON 42/20. Quite a comeback. That was the snowiest game I have ever seen. They kept having young people run across the field with shovels on the yard lines so the players had some idea where they were aiming. Yippee, Now we have to find out who and where they play next.

I am working on the Clifford Crest and am almost ready to shape it into a shield shape so it can be mounted on a banner. This is fun. The Clifford motto is Always Prepared.

Have a nice evening and Sunday.

Love

Mary

Today I packed away ALL the ornaments from the tree. THAT is a daunting job. Kind of fun too as I have the opportunity to enjoy each one again before it is hidden from sight until next Christmas.

Chelsea is wearing me out. She is asking to go out five to 8 times a day. I find that sometimes she just seems to think she is done but isn't. It is a combination of old age and the medications she is on but I am wearing out fast.

This noon I joined the gang at Dairy Queen. They have a new thing, a chicken wrap that is only $1.39 so I tried it. It was quite good. Mary Schroeder was there. I had not seen her since well before Christmas, so that was a nice surprise.

Then I drove to Mother's house. Jeff and Kathy were there. Jeff brought the venison for me. I have a lot now, steaks, chops, ground meat and sausage. My freezer is quite full. I feel secure.
On the way home I swung by Woodlake to pick up some Revolution Tea. I love that tea and Woodlake is the only place I know around here that carries it.

Tonight I picked up Nancy at about quarter to 6 and we went out to Rhine to shoot pistol league. The Winter pistol league is quite large. There are 12 - a big change from the three of us who shot in the Fall league. This is only the third time that Nancy has shot and she did very well. She got a 40 on one of her targets. Not as well on the others but she is really doing well. Like I told her we are really shooting against ourselves. I didn't do badly at all. The first two scored over 50 and the last was 72. Yippee. I was worried because my arm has been so sore, but it does not hurt when I shoot. Of course, reek of cigarette smoke but that is what happens at the club.

One year, my Dad came out to California for a Union Conference. He stayed with me and my ex of course. We took him out to the high desert for the day and he collected cactus and rocks to his hearts content. He also shot Dick's 357 Magnum. Now my Dad had never shot a hand gun before. He was a deer and small game hunter and used rifles and shotguns but never a hand gun. Dick told him to be sure to really hang on to the gun because it has a kick.

Dad took aim, peering down the sites at some cans we set up for targets, fired the gun and it kicked. It kicked him right across the nose and cheek. He had a nice scar (nothing really serious) So he laughed and said that he would just tell everybody that his son in law had hit him. After all, he said, it was his gun.

When it came time for Dad to go home, he packed all the rocks and cactus in his suitcase. I told him that I would be glad to ship things but he wanted to take everything with him. I could NOT lift the suitcase. So he grabbed hold of it and did a double take. "What do YOU have in here?" He said. Believe it or not, they did let it on the plane. Heavy as it was.

Have a nice weekend.

love

Mary

This is one of the pictures that Richard took on Thanksgiving. I thought it was nice to share. For those not family.

Back Row: Richard, Dick, Jim and Bill hugging Bobbie.

Front row: Brenda, Me and Michelle with Chelsea trying to figure out what is up.

Love Mary

I DID get to stay home all day. I woke up at 6AM anyway but that was OK.

I did a lot of cleaning and took down a lot of Christmas ornaments and worked on the quilting projects that I have going downstairs.

Chelsea and I took our walk at about 10AM. She was all perky and happy for that but has been a bit tired and mopy since then. Poor baby is really getting old. Sometimes we wonder if she knows who we are right away. She looks so confused.

It has started to snow tonight but we are not supposed to be getting much, maybe two inches max.

This morning I checked the obituaries in the Sheboygan Press for the past couple of days and saw a Lorraine LeMahieu. One of Mother's dear friends is Lorraine LeMahieu. It had occurred on the 7th and I thought that Mother probably wondered why I had not mentioned it. Then I read the details and things did not gel. So I called Mom this morning and found that it is NOT her friend but her friend's husband's cousin's wife. (Does that make any sense at all?) Mom said that her heart stopped when she saw the name too but when she read the husband's name she knew who it was. The trouble is that Mom's friend has moved to Sheboygan, no longer drives and has not been calling them so it could have been her.

Jeff called this evening. I will be able to pick up the venison that Tom gave us and Jeff arranged for butchering tomorrow after my lunch at Dairy Queen. I will also be going to shoot pistol league with my friend Nancy Roehre. So it will be a full day.

I'll lean on you and
you lean on me and
we'll be okay

-- Dave Matthews


Love

Mary

Chelsea and I had our first walk in three days today. It finally did not rain and was not cold enough to be icy. Dick and I went grocery shopping first. We had breakfast at the Family Restaurant downtown and split an omelet. It was very very good. I have no IDEA how anyone could eat a whole one.

I had hoped to be able to stay home the rest of the day but Dr. Sharon's office called and I had to go to Walgreen's to pick up a prescription for Dick. While I was out, I filled the gas tank. We really have cut down on driving and this has reduced our gasoline bill even with gas prices up. The points from the Pig are helping too. But we DO have to fill it up occasionally.

Now, tomorrow, I should be able to stay home all day. Hopefully, I can get the ornaments off of the tree. I packed up the Nativity scenes today. Takes just as long to put it away as it did to put it all up.

I have also spent the last two days rescheduling the CWI meeting. It was going to be on Wednesday the 16th, then the SCHRC (Sheboygan County Historical Research Center) became unavailable. So we are going to meet on the 17th instead, one day later. I have gathered all I know about the Deeley and Clifford Families. I must remember to check Mother's information on Monday. She MAY have more on the Clifford family.

I am making a quilted wall hanging of the Clifford Family Crest. I will try to get it done by Thursday but may be pushing a bit hard as Sunday I am going rabbit hunting with by brothers and the Behrs and Leroy. Maybe this time I will actually GET something.

When it gets this cold, I think of wonderful trips out to the sand dunes at Glamas and Yuma. They are truly beautiful in their simplicity. We could ride them for hours and not see a single soul or go to a predesignated place and see hundreds of other jeepers and sand buggy people.
Our club would always go out at the same time and set up our camp in a big circle much like the old wagon trains did way back when. In the evening we would haul in old dried out trees and abandoned railroad ties soaked in creasote to fuel a fire at night for all to gather around, young and old and sip brandy and beer and sodas for the kids and talk and sing til we couldn't stay awake any more. Then the next day we would load up everybody in the jeeps again and go out riding some more.

Are we going to get more snow?

Love

Mary

Another warm rainy day. Tornadoes touched down in the southern part of the state yesterday. Wisconsin was blessed that there were no deaths but several houses were demolished. Kind of odd to have tornadoes in January in the middle of winter.

No walks for Chelsea and me. I see no sense getting wet when I just have warded off a bad cold. I started with a icky throat etc last week but managed to stop it in its tracks. The rain should change to snow overnight and we will have sun tomorrow. Back to walking again. We walk unless there is rain or ice.

This morning Dick had blood and urine tests at Aurora here in Plymouth. Then we headed to Sheboygan, via, the Point for breakfast and the bank. We dropped our condo fees off at the accountant's office and stopped at Aurora Pharmacy on Superior to get some new rubber gloves with those little gripper things so that we can get his thigh highs on. I actually have worn a pair out. The thumbs on the old pair split and disintegrated.

I feel like I was busy all day. But it was all odd things. I took down all the door wreaths and plaques. Now I have to remember how I stored them or at least store them so I know where they are next year. Tomorrow the nativity sets get packed away too.

We will be grocery shopping in the morning, but will be home the rest of the day.

Tonight I went over to St. John's for Fr. Van Beeck's adult education classes. He is discussing Faith this year. He always gets such a big crowd. Usually up to 200 people. It just goes to show you that people do want to learn about their faith. Just give the opportunity.

On the way home I stopped at Kate's. She had prepared a chicken salad luncheon for the Daughters of Isabella. I mentioned that I have always wanted a good chicken salad recipe. SO. She saved some of the salad for Dick and me for lunch tomorrow. AND gave me the recipe. It is truly delicious. She also gave me a stick of venison sausage that her son Dean had given her. He had given them four so she wanted to share. I told her that I am going rabbit hunting on Sunday and that we always have the sausage tasting at the Whirl Wind out in the sticks and that I will serve Dean's sausage. She is going to call him for the name of the butcher shop and city. I have none left from last year and have none of ours from this year so this is great.

I have a little story for you. I don't know what made me think of this but it was funny.

I had a friend who lived with her mother. Two women in a house that they owned. This was in California. They both worked. One morning after her mother had left for work, my friend went out to turn on the sprinklers for a couple of hours before she left for some errands. She turned the handle and to her dismay, it broke off in her hand and water just spewed all over the place, drenching her to the skin. There she stood with this faucet in her hand and not idea on God's green earth as to how to turn of the water.

Then, she remembered. A couple of blocks away, on her way to the house the night before, she had seen some city workers working on the water lines for the city. So she got in her car and drove over there. She jumped out, ran over to them and explained her situation graphically. They all just looked at her,drenched and babbling, in amazement so she grabbed one of them by the arm and pushed him into her car and drove back to the house. She said that the poor guy looked somewhere between terrified and bemused and stayed really close to his door. He did however find the main and turned off the water for her. And she took him back.

Later, she realized that those guys had nothing to do with houses directly and they probably thought she was nuts but fortunately she never had to see them again.

Love
Mary

The first Bible Study of the New Year. We were 7 strong with one new person who joined us, Pat Hendrickson. She has a lot to contribute. Not bad for winter and lots of fog and rain. The readings were around the baptism of Jesus and the fact that all of us, even Gentiles, are called to serve AND be a part of the kingdom. The middle reading is simply Peter's acceptance of this fact. I figure that must have been hard for Peter, a Jew who grew up with the fact that he was a member of the chosen people, to understand that, but understand and accept he did.

Then I went to visit Mom for a bit. She is just fine and we had a really good visit. I have some banking to do for her.

Leaving there I came home and fixed Dick's lunch then went over to Kate's to pick her up for lunch. She needed a break. We went to the Exchange Bank. I had a Mocha Coffee and a Corned Beef Panini and shared a scone. Quite good and we caught up on things. I brought her over here to see the tree before I take it down this week. Pray for Ron again. He is OK but had some diarrhea this afternoon, Not a good thing.

Tonight was the Rhine Plymouth meeting. A lively discussion. We have decided to close on Sundays except for the Lewis shoots and other special events because of the decrease in our membership AND the fact that fewer and fewer people are showing up on Sundays because of the cost of ammo and lead. Most members were happy with that because our hours are discouraging new members and old members alike. The compensations are not worth the time we are required to spend. I know that Doc and Del, two members who started the Sunday open shoot, are unhappy because it takes time to develop a following but the following is WAY down.

So my day is finally done. It rained off and on most of the day but the fog stayed pretty steady too. It was warm. Up in the high 40s and the snow is melting fast. We will have another day or two of the rain and warmth then winter will return. Even when we know this, it is so easy to get used to the nice temperatures.

Dick was very happy with supper tonight. We had Mac and Cheese with ring Bologna cut up in it. One of his very favorite meals.

Til tomorrow

Mary

It was very warm today. I got up at 6AM so that I could get to the 8AM mass. I was a eucharistic minister this morning. That is always a lovely ministry. Fr. Van Beeck wants us all to feel sorry for and pray for him next Saturday evening. The Packers will start their playoff game at 3:30PM and Mass starts at 4:30PM. He figures it will be him and the dog. Actually I will be there. I am going rabbit hunting on Sunday morning, SO will go to the Saturday evening Mass.

When I got home, Dick and I had a nice Sunday Breakfast which always thrills Miss Chelsea. She LOVES Sundays. Have you tried the Jimmy Dean Breakfast Skillets. They consist of potatoes, peppers, onions and meat. You just fry them up, add eggs and serve. We get three meals out of each package.

Then I took down the outside Christmas lights and wreaths. As today is the Feast of the Three Kings, it IS the end of the season and time to put it all away until next year. The rest will be stored during the coming week.

Chelsea and I had a really good walk this afternoon. With the warm weather the snow is melting fast. The trouble is that there is a coating of dirt, oil and gook on it which all seems to gravitate to her tummy and legs. She is not a happy camper when I have to wipe them off, even with an extra treat involved.

Tomorrow will be a nice day and a busy day. First will be Bible Study. I can wear the t shirt that I bought in Dallas at the Hebrew shop. It has Faith written in English and Hebrew on the back. That will be fun. We have not met since before Christmas so will have a lot to catch up on.

Then I will stop off at Mom's to visit and do a bit of banking for her.

Then home to fix lunch for Dick. I am going to pick up Kate Herman and we are going to lunch out. She is stir crazy. With Ron having been so ill so long she needs a bit of a break. He is doing much better, by the way, sounds stronger and has gained a couple of pounds.

Tomorrow night is the Rhine Plymouth meeting. I will find out the new schedule. The league started on Friday. I will just start next week. I must find out if Lil Pippng and Ken are shooting this league. Nancy Roehre a friend of mind wants to shoot league too.

I fixed a venison tenderloin with a Texas rub and baked beans and salad for supper. Num Num

Have a great week.

Love
Mary

It was warm today. The gutters are now draining the roof and Dick heard a big bunch of snow fall off of the roof onto the deck.

Chelsea and I had a lovely walk. We even walked through the park. I led her over the berm
next to the parking lot and then we followed the deer tracks because I knew that where they walked would not be too deep for Chelsea and me. With the warmer temperatures, It was a real pleasure.

The rest of the day, I cleaned, sewed and made a bunch of phone calls. Talked to Bret. He is doing fine. When I called him early, he was at a funeral. It was the funeral of a dear friend from long ago, from the Orange County Four Wheeler Jeep Club, Connie Heinze. Her husband Ronnie died a couple of years ago and I am sure Connie, who was not in the greatest of health was glad to go and join him. They are a wonderful family and I have a lot of good memories. Connie made the best salsa I have ever eaten for the good bye party that Mary Ellen Kirby threw when Bart and I were leaving California.

I remember that they had the biggest old dog, part Great Dane, named Tucker. Ronnie always insisted on bringing Tucker on the runs. Then he would beg Connie to leave Tucker in camp. I still remember him sitting there and saying. "Please, Connie, don't make me take him along. He LEANS on me." Tucker would sit next to Ronnie and the further they drove the more he would start leaning towards Ronnie and he was BIG.

Prayers for the Heinze Family.

Also, Good NEWS. Travis, the boy who was in the motorcycle accident will be coming home on Tuesday. Thank God and Thanks for all your prayers.

Love

Mary

It was much warmer today. Chelsea woke me up at 4:30AM. I let her out and then shut her out of the bedroom so I could get a decent sleep.

After I cleaned the kitchen this morning, at about 9AM we went for a nice walk. It is supposed to get quite warm - all the way up to the upper 40's (those of you in Louisiana and California, don't strain anything laughing) and we are going to get rain.

I spent the rest of the day cutting out fabric for various projects and putting things away. After Sunday, the Feast of the Three Kings, I will take down the Christmas things.

Had lunch with the Wells Fargo gals at Dairy Queen this noon. There were six of us. Me, Marlene, Betty, Barb, Alice and Dawn. I had my usual grilled cheese and ordered onion rings to share. It was a pleasant break and we got all caught up on Dawn. She has not been around for quite some time. We missed her.


Q. How many MINNESOTA VIKINGS does it take to win a Superbowl?
A. Nobody knows and we may never find out!

Q. What do you call 47 people sitting around a TV watching the
SuperBowl?
A. The MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Thought I would add a bit of end of the regular season humor.

Go Pack. Playoffs are coming soon. Are you going to watch the presidential debates?


Love

Mary

A beautiful sunset on Christmas Eve AND Leif , Barb and Bart at the rehearsal dinner in Texas.

Mary

Isn't it great, I finally figured out how to blog more than one picture at a time.

Mary

What a cold day. It was 2 degrees when I woke up this morning. Chelsea and I waited until about 9:30Am for her nap so it was a little warmer and there was no wind again. I heard it later in the day but Chelsea and I did not have to cope with that.

I cleaned the bathrooms today and cut out the rest of the denim squares that I need for a quilt that I am constructing. This should be easy as there is no batting and you quilt as you go.

I also made some calls and sent emails to the CWI Sheboygan People to remind them of the January 16 meeting at SCHRC (Sheboygan County Historical Research Center) to lunch and share our genealogical backgrounds. That should really be fun. I need to gather the Clifford and Deeley information that I have and have it ready to share.

I think I may be catching a cold so will be sure to be in bed early tonight with a nice hot cup of tea to help me sleep. Maybe I can head it off at the pass.

When Bart was a little boy he used to like me to rub his little round tummy when he was settling down to sleep. That is double funny because his Uncle Randy used to like Mother to sit on the couch and hold his legs and rub them when he was settling down to sleep at about the same age. Little people like comfort and they like ritual.

Tomorrow is a nice quiet day again. The only OUT is lunch at Dairy Queen and the post office.

Did I tell you that January is a real crazy month for birthdays in the Deeley household.
Dolores has her birthday on January 9, Mother is January 21, Dad was January 26, Eileen is January 27 and Nora is January 29. Whew! Lots of cards. Dolores is 60 this year. Time is a marching along.

Guess that is all as we did not leave the nest today.

Love

Mary

Today was shopping day. We got up and moving early because I also had a dentist appointment.

SO. At about 7:30 we left the house. First we went to the bank to the ATM (of Devil's Machine as Dick calls it. He won't use it himself. He makes me get the money from it. He says that because I am a "saint" the devil won't get me.)

Then we stopped for breakfast at McDonalds. The server suggested that I try their new breakfast burrito which is a huge thing stuffed with potatoes, sausage, egg cheese, peppers and salsa. So I did. It is delicious but I could only eat half so I brought the other half home for tomorrow.

Next was the Pig. We were home easily by 8:30AN. Boy was it cold. It got up to the mid teens though and Chelsea and I had a really nice brisk walk after I got back from the dentist at about 10. Cold doesn't bother her. And as long as the sun is out and there is no wind I don't mind if the temps are double digits.

I had thought my dentist appointment was at 9:30AM. As I was leaving for it at 9:15 the dentist office called. Oops. It was a 9AM. They still took me. I hurried downtown. It is only 5 minutes or less away. The cleaning went well. Then Dr. Joseph checked me out and said that I am doing just fine. Fine enough that he "suggested" that I eat hard candy, sugar and jaw breakers. Pretty good Huh.

Jeff called yesterday to tell me that Tom has two extra deer that we can have if we take care of the butchering. Jeff, Randy and I have shared this before and I am more than glad to do that again. How nice that Tom and Denise think of us. Jeff is taking it to a local butcher who will prepare steaks, burger AND this year, sausage.

Bart called this afternoon. He and Barb were at the hospital in Wichita Falls so Barb could get her stomach banding checked. She has a small ulcer but it is not bleeding. Aside from that all is OK I think. He is finally feeling better. His doctor said he had a slight flu and is reacting to some of his meds. He sounded pretty good. Much better than on the weekend.

He was always such a cute and eager little boy. One day, when he was about 4 years old, he told me something. What I don't remember but I asked him where he had learned what he was telling me he very confidently said "I read it in a book." When I mentioned to him that he did not know how to read he just shrugged and said. "OH Yeah." and went on his way.

Have a nice Thursday. I sorted fabric today and tomorrow want to plan a couple of projects and cut out flannel for my denim quilt.

Love

Mary

Happy New Year!

I was a real dud last night. I was so tired that I ended up in bed at 9PM and barely woke up til morning. I missed ALL the big celebrations. And I didn't even care. I am tired tonight too.

It will be good to get back to a routine. Tomorrow, Wednesday, is shopping day and then I have a
dentist appointment. I will spend the rest of the afternoon trying to figure out what I have to do in the next week.

Today, Mother, Jim and Michelle, and Bobbie and Bill came over for dinner. We had spinach noodle egg casserole, squash, corn, salad and Carmel Apple Blossoms with whipped cream.

We opened up a bottle of champagne that we had purchased several years ago. Don't keep champagne for several years. We were saving it for the big day when we win the lottery. It is intended to be sprayed all over me when Dick lets me know the big news. However, if it is too old, it turns to something not champagne. It is almost like a sparkling sherry.

Jim and Michelle helped me set up the Digital Photo Frame that Bart and Barb got me for Christmas. We put some pictures on it and just let it go. It is SO nice. I will have to do a couple of different ones and can fit them to the occasion. While Mom was here I also showed her all the pictures that I took and the pictures that George sent to me too. She was delighted. It is such a pleasure to be able to share these things with her so soon. One used to have to wait for things to be developed. Now they are just READY right away.

Guess that is all today. Tomorrow I will be more alert and plan a little more news for you.

Love

Mary

All of us. Bing and Stenn in their Chinese silks.

Love

Mary

Stenn and Bing Salvesen - Don't they look happy.

A nice quiet day following the trip to the Lone Star State.

I slept a little late and then waited until light to take Chelsea for her walk so we could indeed have a walk. She liked that but tried to work her way into the park. The snow is piled so high that it will be some time before we can attempt that again. I am not taking any chances of falling again for sure. Perhaps when the roads and sidewalks are a bit clearer, we can walk around the ball diamonds and come back again. She likes that too.

I mainly just put things away and caught up on computer stuff today. I went to my New Year's Mass tonight at 4:30PM. Now tomorrow will be free for New Year enjoyment. I will be picking up Mother at about noon and Jim, Michelle, Bobbie and Bill will be joining us. I will feed everybody at about 1:00PM.

An old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard.

I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home.

He followed me into the house, down the hall, and fell asleep in a corner.

An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, resumed his position in the hall, and slept for an hour. This continued for several weeks. Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "Every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap."

The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar: "He lives in a home with ten children -- he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?"

Isn't that a cute story?

Pictures will be on a post today too.

Love

Mary

Home Again! Home Again! Jiggedy Jog.

What a relief. It is the old saying. One LOVES to go away on a trip or vacation and then one LOVES to be home again. Robbie O'Connell wrote it very well in his song "It's easy going home again but hard to say goodbye."

The wedding was beautiful. It was so good to see Stenn so happy. He was almost giddy. Tomorrow I will download the pictures I took and post a picture of the happy couple for you to see. The wedding was at a restaurant called May Dragon. They had the whole back banquet room for the ceremony followed by the dinner and festivities. It was a lovely ceremony. A friend of Stenn's is a minister and performed the ceremony for them. A nice mixture of Chinese and American. We had about five different Chinese dishes from fish to duck to scallops and veggies. All interesting. I liked everything. The shell fish had a little much shell to suit me and the sweet soup was kind of indifferent but overall it was a nice culinary experience. They also served a Chinese wine that was WAY too much for me. George poured us all a little bit and I managed to sip a bit for each toast but mainly kept to the regular wines.

Bart was too sick to attend the wedding but was starting to recover this morning, at least he was holding things down. They are home safe and sound also. I called to be sure after I got home.

It is really an amazing thing to be in Dallas Texas at 1:30PM and in Plymouth WI at about 6PM. With a short stop at Randy's and Jim and Michelle picking me up. Then, Dick and I drove over to KFC for supper so I didn't have to cook. I am just resting now.

Tomorrow, I will post pictures and tell you a bit more about the trip as I remember it.

Love

Mary

I have the opportunity to be on the internet at the hotel so thought I would say HI to all. The trip here was perfect. We got out before the snow. Dick says there are 4 to 6 inches in Sheboygan.

The rehearsal dinner was SO pleasant. We got to introduce the two families and the members of the wedding party at an excellent Italian restaurant not far from her.

This morning Barb and I went on a five hour quilt hop. We both found treasures. I was freed up because Nora offered to ship things that won't fit in bags home for me. We went to three great shops.

Poor Bart is not feeling well at all. He seems to have a bug that has unsettled his tummer. We are trying to get him better for tonight.

I lost my itinerary but Barb showed me how to do this hotel stuff and I have a new copy in my hot little hands. The wedding is at 6:30 at a Chinese restaurant near here. We will get there at 6 as ceremonies are usually right on the dot and we will eat right after the ceremony. Such fun.

Take care. Until tomorrow.

Love

Mary

Yippee. I went to the doctor this morning at 8:15AM. Dr. Peschke said that my ankle is lookin' good! I do NOT have to take the crutches to Texas unless, of course, I want to play the sympathy card. (I DO NOT.) He did suggest that I use the brace for any long walks, like airports and such to provide some stability. Also, my blood pressure was back down to normal. We figure it was just the trauma of the pain of the sprain on that day that caused it to soar. So I am almost all well again and certainly ready for the trip.

I spent the rest of the day getting packed and all and trying to be sure the house is in order for Dick while I am gone. He has lots of food that is easy to find and prepare, so I am not worried about that. We got him all showered, stockinged and medicated so he will be OK until I am home on Sunday. Whew.

Chelsea was very quiet today and slept a lot. I think three days of company is very tiring for and old lady like her but she sure enjoys the company. When I get back if there is no ice, we will start walking again. That will definitely be a bonus for both of us. I am sure that by then walking will be the BEST exercise for my foot and I know that I need to be moving. I feel like a slug.

Richard made a movie of Brenda walking Chelsea. That is really a pleasure to watch. Did I tell you that my wallpaper on the computer disappeared? I wouldn't and don't care too much but I do miss seeing my Waylon looking at me. When I get to heaven, all of my critters will be waiting for me.

Now, remember, I will be gone until Sunday. I will tell you as much as I am able (depending on tired) about the trip on Sunday evening. Hopefully I will have a good picture of the bride and groom and of Bart and Barb for you.

I wrote a Haiku about getting rid of my crutches.

To talk with freedom
After being long constrained
I laugh for happy.


Love

Mary

Did you miss me? Our whole cable system was down from Christmas Eve until about 3PM this afternoon. We were really upset. The Time Warner guy came and fixed it. He found that a cable up at the top was severed. We believe that some critter has invaded our people domain as he also found corn and stuff under the TV as if it was being horded for the future. He checked all their ingresses into the house and put some DCon up into that area. There were no signs that anything could have gotten through there. As soon as I am able I will go and check our outlets for the dryer etc and see if the covers are off again. It is such a cold and snowy winter we could EASILY have some critter finding a warm spot in our pipes etc. Otherwise we may have to get an exterminator.

Christmas was truly wonderful. Bobbie and Bill, Jim and Michelle and Dick and Brenda were all here. Dinner turned out good. I fixed meatloaf, overnight potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, carrot salad and double chocolate upside down Potcheen cheesecake for dessert. All the gifts were well received and we loved ours so that went well too. After dinner we went over to Jim and Michelle's to enjoy their Christmas decorations and Boots. Altogether it was really great.

Today was quiet. We had Brenda and Dick with us until almost noon, a real delight. Then they headed up to Dick's mother's and we went grocery shopping. This afternoon was the visit from the "Cable Guy" and preparations for dinner. I have everything cleaned up and put away now.

I am trying to get ready for the trip to Dallas next. Tomorrow morning is my visit with the doctor to determine if I am healed. I am hoping against hope that I can go to Texas without those danged crutches. I do not hurt any more actually there has been no pain since the second day and have pretty much done everything I was told to do SO that should be that.

Dick has not been sleeping well and is not feeling as well as he should. I hope that maybe with me gone he will have a chance to rest. With my foot he has had an awful lot to do. Of course he will still have Chelsea, but I think that Jim and/or Michelle will help him with her. I am really looking forward to the break actually.

ANyway that is where I have been. I will post tomorrow night and then you will not hear from me again until Sunday night.

I know that I have put this in the blog before but at this time of year it is worth repeating.

Love

Mary

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand & a glass of wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Can you believe that there is only one more day before Christmas. Christmas Eve is TOMORROW.

We stayed home all day today. I was very disappointed. It IS Sunday and I hate missing Mass, but it was slippery out there and the wind was horrendous. Not a great place for a 67 year old woman on crutches.

My foot feels fine. I weathered the Clancy Legacy with no complications and have now begun exercising the foot as the doctor instructed. I am determined to travel to Texas without crutches.

I started doing the prep work for the Christmas Dinner. I figure a little at a time is the best way. Today I made the carrot salad and the bread. I did get a pain in my side this afternoon, probably because I am holding myself oddly when I do some things like cleaning the microwave.
We wonder how long it will take Chelsea to realize that I am back "on the job" when I am all healed. Today Dick took her out several times and Jim and Michelle kindly came over an took her for as much of a walk as their poor little bodies could stand. Chelsea with her long fur coat seems to think that EVERYBODY should be able to stay out as long as she does. HAH! She is wrong. But she did get some exercise anyway.

Remember the Christmas pageant with "Gold, Common Sense and Fur."

Here is another one the at my brother and sister in law, Jeff and Kathy sent to me. It think it is great.


Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the
holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial
entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.

So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly
taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy
mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.

Those in the front row - center stage - held up large letters, one by
one, to spell out the title of the song.

As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the
letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding
up his portion had presented the complete message,

"Christmas Love."


The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a
small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -
totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".


The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's
mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall,
proudly holding her "W".


Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter
continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.

A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant,
we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the
first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our
festivities.


For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:


"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"

And so He was and so He is. We are almost to his birthday celebration. Let's give Him the gift of peace and love.

All my love

Mary

A perfect day. We got up this morning at our usual time. I am on my second day of adding weight to my foot and tomorrow will start foot exercises. I still have no pain and am grateful.

The morning was rather quiet. I did a little cleaning in the kitchen and fixed breakfast and lunch for Dick and me so am feeling a bit useful again.

Jim and Michelle got home from a short jaunt to Minneapolis to the Mall of America this afternoon at about 2PM. They had a great time and seemed very refreshed. Dick asked Jim to pick up Chelsea's leavings as neither he nor I can bend down to to it at this time. Soon I think I can handle it again. That was alright BUT we had the door to the garage and the garage door open and Chelsea zipped down the stairs. When I realized she was there I called, but of course, she is deaf and didn't hear me. Poor Jim chased her all around the cul de sac. I don't think he is quite as relaxed as he was when he got home. She kept running just out of reach. Dick gave her a lecture when we got her back in. He told her that she had behaved in and unseemly manner and that he was ashamed of her.

Then at 3ish, Peg Payne arrived followed closely by John and Toni Nevicosi. We visited for a bit and then headed down to the Clancy Legacy concert at the Irish Center in Milwaukee. We took a side trip, despite the fog, to St. Francis to a polish restaurant that John and Toni like. I ordered a Polish Sampler plate which had Pierogi, stuffed cabbage, a polish sausage AND a potato pancake. It was delicious. I brought some home for us to share tomorrow.

Then on to the concert. It was great. We found out about half past 7 that there was a preact. A Jeff Ward, who was really good. I bought his CD. Then Robbie, Aoife, and Donel came on and gave us the nicest Christmas concert of music both instrumental and vocal and poetry. We were all delighted. I found Robbie during the break and we had a nice little visit and I gave him a copy of my book to give to Roxanne. They are hoping to be home by tomorrow night, Good Lord Willing and the snow and airlines cooperate. I bought Donel's CD also.

We are home save and sound well before the temperatures are supposed to drop and the snow to fall. I hope they are wrong about that as I would hate to miss Mass again. This has been a really bad year with snow and ice.

Now Christmas can come. I will spend the next couple of days cooking.

Love

Mary

It was a wonderful day. I am now putting some weight on that right foot and it still doesn't hurt. My wish is that when I go to the doctor on Thursday he says that I do not have to take the crutches to Texas. I will be as good as I know how til then.

It was a nice day. Dick was double busy of course, but I was able to fix the meals and load the dishwasher so that made it a little easier. Naturally this HAS to be the time that we are feeding Jim and Michelle's Boots as they are out of town. Usually this is my job but it is still a bit slippery out there, Dick tells me. So he is doing it. He does not see much of Boots and I hope Boots misses my visits. But he is well fed and his litter box is kept clean. His folks will be home tomorrow.

Dick and I did go out to do some banking and to get gas. With our Pig points we paid $1.91 per gallon. What a deal but who a few years ago would have thought of that as a deal. At this point we are REALLY happy to get the discount.

I did a bit of sewing this afternoon to make good use of my time. I was surprised by a welcome encouraging call from Nora, my sister, because she heard about my food injury. Nice to know that people care. I talked to my Bret today too. His package to us arrived yesterday and both of the packages I sent him have arrived so we are all set on that end.

When I was a little girl, Mom and Dad would just keep presents at the Grandparents houses. They would also pick up the presents From the grandparents on Christmas Eve. They put up the tree and would have it decorated when we woke up in the morning too. Not at all like now when we do all that decorating shortly after Thanksgiving. As we kids got older we stayed up later and did help with the decorating and all. Dad would go to Midnight Mass. (Which was actually at midnight.) and on his way home pick everything up from the Grandparents. Then he would come home, have a TBone Steak for breakfast and he and Mother would arrange the presents in the living room. Eventually 9 little piles of presents for 9 children. What a joy. Probably not such a joy for them when their little people would be trying to get up at about 6AM to see what Santa brought.

Have a good Saturday. I am going to see the Clancy Legacy. Pray that the snow holds off as they say until after midnight.

Love

Mary

A rather eventful day considering that I am still stuck sitting with my foot up as much as possible.

Bobbie came over to take Dick to get his blood tested this morning. It just seemed that he needs a ride there as I usually drop him off at the door and then join him so he doesn't have to walk so far. She had a "free" day so was glad to come. Then they stopped at the store for a couple of things and lastly we had a nice visit. Chelsea was SOOOOOOO glad she came as she took Chelsea for a nice long walk. It will be a while before I can do that for her.

Bobbie said that she kind of needed a walk too and Chelsea is fun to walk in snowy weather. She rolls and eats snow and runs just like a young pup. It was doubly good for Chelsea because she has done a LOT of coughing since last night. No seizures but that poor body is just racked with those coughs. She is drinking an awful lot of water too. Not too encouraging.

After their walk, Bobbie and I had tea and cookies for a little treat. Chelsea was rather offended that we did not offer her any but as Bobbie pointed out, Chelsea had not offered to share any of HER treats either.

Only 5 more days until Christmas. I read the cutest story of a Christmas pageant. When the little guy Wise Man said his lines, he got a bit mixed up or perhaps he just said something that made sense to him. "We bring you gifts of Gold, Common Sense and Fur."

The rest of the day was spent resting and computering. Dick is taking good care of me. Tomorrow I can start putting a bit of weight on my toes of the right foot. Yea, before you know it all will be well again.

Hope you have a nice Friday. Mine will be quiet of course as I had to cancel my Blood Donation appointment which was going to involve a couple of other errands in Sheboygan. Now I am going to HAVE to do them after Christmas.

Oh Well. Life will go on even if I DO have to change my list around.

Love

Mary

A Government study found the average American walks 900 miles a year. Another study found Americans drink, on average, 22 gallons of beer a year. That means, on average, Americans get 41 miles to the gallon. Kind of makes you proud to be an American!

Just a day trying not to walk. My foot feels fine now but as Dick says, I have not stepped on it since yesterday and have iced it down four times so it should feel better.

My arms are getting tired from those blankety blank crutches. I don't think I would make a good disabled person.

Dick has been very good to me. He went grocery shopping all by himself this morning and has been preparing meals and cleaning up. I sure will be glad when I can get back to normal stuff. I like being waited on but not because it has to be. Chelsea is VERY confused.

Saturday I am supposed to be going to Milwaukee to the Irish Cultural and Historical Center to see The Clancy Legacy with Robbie O Connell, Donel Clancy and Aoife Clancy. Barring weather I have it figured out. John and Toni Nevicosi will drive and take me and Peg Payne and (if she comes) Kate Herman. Kate's husband thinks she should and that it would be good for her. I think so too but not if she would be worrying about Ron too much. Only she can decide. Anyway, barring weather, this wretched ankle will not stop me.

Less than a week until the big day. Jesus birthday. It is a wonder that we are the ones that get the presents. Maybe he is like me and likes seeing us open them up.

Have a good night

Mary

Today has not turned out at ALL like I planned.

This morning I tripped over Chelsea and my boots but seemed alright.

First, Dick had an appointment with Dr. Hodous to check and trim his callouses. The deepest one is shrinking some. That is really good news. We stopped at Mother's on the way home and I dropped off the Christmas gifts for my brothers and sisters and Mother. Then when we got home,I vacuumed downstairs in the den and sanitized the jug to rack the currant wine and put a casserole together and lots of other little things.

Everything was JUST fine. Then I sat down and shortly, my foot and ankle started hurting. It kept getting worse, but I figured I could walk it off when I got my hair cut at 2:30PM. It didn't work. By the time I got home, I couldn't put ANY weight on it at all. So. Dick drove me to Urgent care here in Plymouth. (He finally got to drive the car anyway. I have been suggesting that he should do that.) They took X rays and examined it and all. There is no break so I have my work cut out for me. For 48 hours I have to stay off of the foot and put ice on three times a day. I have crutches and after the 48 hours instructions on how to gradually get back to full use of the foot. We had an interesting time getting my blood pressure and I am not sure they ever did get a good one. Otherwise, I am really messed up. The first one was 240 over 100.

So I am home again. And really distressed. Poor Dick. He needs me to take care of him and now he is stuck with me. Well. We will have to take each day as it comes. He is going to do the shopping tomorrow.

So now you know the story of the great Christmas Ankle sprain.

Yesterday was fun. The bible study was lively and we will now disband until January 7. The Writer's Club party was indeed fun. We went to Antoinette's. We had lunch, exchanged presents and read to each other. It was a warm fuzzy. I like those.

Take care and pray for me.

Love

Mary

Well, It is the 18th. I usually unwind in the evenings by blogging, but last night I unwinded by going to bed.

It was a busy fulfilling day.

Bible Study, Writer's Club party and lunch and a Celtic Women telephone conference.



Just letting you know that I am still around and will flesh things out tonight.

Mary

A view after the snow from the deck looking out on the woods towards the park. Isn't it beautiful.

Love

Mary

The plows had the driveways and roads cleared in plenty of time for me to get to church at 8AM. After that first fiasco the snow plowing crew have been Right ON. With all the snow, I can't even begin to wonder what the condo snow plowing will amount to this year. Want to bet that our condo fees go up next year?

Chelsea is absolutely in hog heaven with all the snow. She is constantly asking to go out. I am sure that the water pills are contributing to the problem but the way she digs around and rolls around in the snow, I sometimes think that she is just taking me out to play. She is filthy. On Wednesday, she gets her bath. She will not be happy, but at least she will be presentable for Christmas.

Fr. Van Beeck is extremely proud that we, St. John The Baptist Church, are "featured" three times this advent season. Today John the Baptist asked Jesus if indeed he was the "One I have been waiting for." Kind of an interesting question. Who would have thought that John would have doubts at this time. He was in jail and was beheaded shortly thereafter. But as Fr. Van Beeck says it gives US hope when we lose a little hope sometimes.

When I got home, I baked the Stollen. I think I told you that I kind of mixed up which part got which amount of sugar, but it did not make TOO much difference. They are really good.

Bobbie and I worked for a couple of hours at Rhine. I brought some pear bread for everybody to snack on. They let us go home early because it was SO slow. We had only two or three rounds shot and half of the shooters were member. It was Bobbie's last day of working. She is dropping out as of January. I will miss our work times together. We really don't see each other that much otherwise. Probably will have to MAKE times to visit. I brought three bottles of bubbles for the kitties too. I sure miss my kitties. Especially when I am very tired and achy. My Oscar was such a comfort. I don't think I will ever have my babies back again. I don't care what anybody says. It has been over a year and I just don't have any hope anymore. I am so glad that Bobbie and Bill love them too. But I miss them SO much.


We racked the Lemon Balm Wine this afternoon after I got back from Rhine.

Now we are spending a quiet evening watching a Christmas Movie that I haven't seen before. It is a little vague but is pleasant enough. A nice way to spend an evening.

I called a number that I had for a cousin of mind, Diana Cool, Uncle Jim's daughter. She sounded so glad to hear from me and asked first about my Mother. So I know her memories are pleasant. We will, I hope talk again soon, and can catch her up on us and me up on her and hers.

Tomorrow is party day. Last Bible Study until after the New Year and the Cream City Writers party right after. I also have a conference call for CWI at 4PM. So it will be a full day. I have not heard from Kate so am assuming that things went reasonably well for Ron on Friday. It is well to keep on praying until we know all is well and then give thanks. Remember to pray for Bret's friend Travis too, the young man who was seriously injured in that motorcycle accident. The last I heard he is improving but his kidney (he lost one) had not started working as yet. Lets opt for Christmas miracles.

That's all. Have a pleasant week before Christmas. I hope you are almost all ready and that your time is special.

Love

Mary

Only 10 days until Christmas. We are all ready. It snowed all day again today. I don't remember a year with this much snow in December in years if ever. Chelsea loves it, of course. Snow really turns her on.

This morning I drove to Sheboygan Falls to see Mother. I mailed her Christmas cards for her on the way home. She is fine but has been housebound this past week because of the weather. I hope it is nice this week as she is supposed to have two Senior meal events, one of them a party and she likes that.

I fixed a turkey for dinner today. The Thanksgiving turkey tasted so good that it made me want more and especially made me hungry for leftovers. Boy, now I have plenty of them.

I mixed up a batch of Christmas Stollen today too. It has to sit in the fridge overnight and then tomorrow I need to roll it out, fill it and bake it. It keeps for a long time. I checked with Mother. She is making a batch today too.

With all the snow, the world is a white and silver wonderland. Quiet and peaceful under the cloudy gray sky. It is so beautiful now before the black exhaust leaves a film on everything and it becomes old and jaded.

We should enjoy the purity of it.

Have a nice Sunday. I am working at Rhine. Bet it will be a very quiet dull day.

Love

Mary

Such an early onset of winter makes us leery of then next five months. It has been many years since we have had this much snow and this much snow this early in December. It would be nice if the snow stayed around until after Christmas. (All that White Christmas stuff, you know.) But snow through March or even into April is hard to accept. Only time will tell, but it was 13 degrees this morning when Chelsea and I went out for our morning walk.

She has been a real pest today. I must have taken her out at least 8 maybe 10 times. We don't know what is happening. Is it old age? Is it the pills? Is it because she is a spoiled little puppy (Bitch is the word Dick uses. Not insulting- after all bitch is the proper term for a female dog.)

I cleaned the kitchen and mixed up a pie crust this morning. AND Dick and I finally got the Gewertziminer racked. So a lot was accomplished. I vacuumed the guest room and dusted in that room. Tomorrow I hope to get the den.

Today I was thinking of a dear friend, Twila Heinze. Isn't Twila a lovely name? It belonged to a lovely woman. Twila was married to a man named Ernie. They owned a auto repair place in Santa Ana. Ernie was severely injured in a jeeping accident and was unable to work any longer. They had several children and the business was survival for them. SO - Twila learned how to be a mechanic and to run the business and they did just fine. She was dynamic.

We belonged to the same jeep club. One year at our Christmas party she commented that children were funny little creatures and all raised differently. She said that one of the little people had been scooting by her on all fours and she had patted him on his little rear as he scooted by and her burst into tears. She and I were both used to a little love pat on the buns of our munchkins, just to let them know that we were there if we needed them. She also mentioned that her boys and grandchildren all had dark coarse hair. My boys and the Kirby boys and the Nordin boys all had blond hair. She said that blond kids smelled like puppies. Isn't that the cutest thing you ever heard.

Love

Mary